Ms. Kathryn Anderson

Principal
Kathryn Ryan Anderson brings over twenty years of experience to her new position as Principal, IA of P.S. 889. Throughout her career, she has working in various capacities, including assistant principal, mentor, staff developer and teacher to provide high quality education for children in the New York City public school system. for the past ten years, Kathryn has been as Assistant Principal of P.S. 160, a culturally diverse school of 1400 students in the Borough Park section of Brooklyn. She and her staff of over 70 teachers worked to revise the school's literacy program so that all students, particularly the large English as a New Language population, could engage in the use of challenging texts and written projects. Additionally, she was able to build relationships with teachers and engage in conversations about effective classroom practice the resulted in increased teacher capacity and student achievement. An equally important aspect of Kathryn's work, and on which she values deeply, is her collaboration with parents and families. As a parent herself, she holds the family presence in high regard and understand the challenges of raising children in today's world. She has been very fortunate to work in a school where the home-school connection was highly valued. It brings her great joy to see the families sharing in the school experiences to create happy memories together. Kathryn is looking forward to sharing her passion of teaching, learning and community building to P.S. 889.

Caitlyn Bean

Speech/Language Improvement
Katelyn is the Teacher of Speech/Language Improvement at P.S. 889/M.S. 890. She began her career with the NYC Board of Education as a paraprofessional in 2007. After witnessing the impact of the school-based Speech Pathologist first-hand, she went on to pursue a graduate career in communication sciences and disorders. Her professional endeavors include clientele from birth to the geriatric population with a wide range of impairments across a variety of settings including home/center-based and private services. Katelyn is eager to employ evidence-based practices tailored specifically to each child and family's needs, while maintaining an engaging and enriching environment. Katelyn is a New York State licensed Speech-language Patholgist. She holds her Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-language Pathology (CCC-SLP) from the American Speech-language Hearing Association (ASHA). Katelyn is certified as a Teacher of Students with Speech and Language Disabilities (TSSLD). She earned her B.A. in Speech Communications from St. Joseph's College and her M.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Adelphi University. 

Erica Duran

Teacher
This is Erica’s seventh year in District 22. She graduated from Hunter College with a Bachelors Degree in English Language Arts and earned a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education at Touro College. Erica enjoys every aspect of teaching and continues to dedicate much of her time to learning and growing as an educator.  During her spare time she enjoys reading. When she’s not reading she likes to travel and learn about different cultures. She also loves to spend time with her family and friends, they mean the world to her! Erica is so happy to be apart of PS 889 and is looking forward to an amazing year! ​

Megan Luback
Pre-K Paraprofessional
Megan Luback is so thrilled to apart of the P.S. 889 family.This is her fifth year working in the Department of Education and she absolutely loves working in the Early Childhood setting. Her favorite subject is Art. She loves creating hands-on experiences for the students and participating in STEM projects. Megan grew up in Brooklyn with her mom, dad and sister. On the weekends Megan enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She is excited for the School year and is looking forward to a fun and exciting journey!
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Christy Wolfe

Teacher 
Christy is excited and honored to be one of the founding teachers at P.S. 889. She is eager to combine her experience with her passion for teaching students. Christy has a Master’s degree in Early Childhood General and Special Education. Prior to teaching Kindergarten at a private school, Christy was the Assistant to the Superintendent of Schools for the Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens. Through her education and experience Christy has gained the knowledge necessary to ensure a successful and memorable learning experience for our future leaders!

Christina Singh

Teacher
Ms. Singh holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. She is committed to showing her students their place in the world by creating a dynamic environment where they are equally valued and educated. During her spare time, she enjoys watching movies, spending time with family and traveling. Ms. Singh is excited to see what the upcoming school year has to bring!

Clairetza Felix
Teacher

Ms. Felix graduated from St. Francis College with a degree in Childhood Education and holds a Masters of Arts degree as a Literacy Specialist from Teachers college, Columbia Literacy . As a member of the DPI/NGO executive committee member at the United Nations, she demonstrates ways that the sustainable goals can be achieved within the education community. Ms. Felix speaks Creole and she enjoys incorporating culture into her classroom. ​Her favorite quote from her favorite book The Alchemist is, “And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” ​ ​

Alexandria Rivers

Teacher
​Alexandria graduated from Brooklyn College with a BA in Childhood Education. She is currently completing her Masters of Science in Childhood and Special Education from Touro College. She hopes to influence her students to have a love of reading and learning for their the rest of their lives. Outside of school Alexandria spends time with her husband and two young children hiking and playing at the park. Her husband is from the Philippines, so she frequently cooks Filipino food for her family and friends. Her goal in life is to inspire her students and her own children to be respectful, empathetic, and driven. 

Alexandra Lamberti​
Teacher

Alexandra is so excited to be at P.S. 889. Prior to working at P.S. 889 she was a 4th Grade teacher. This will be her fourth year teaching in the Department of Education and she is very excited to combine her previous experiences with her passion for teaching students. Alexandra grew up in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn with her mom, dad and siblings. Alexandra attended Brooklyn College where she earned a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education. She absolutely loves being a teacher and her favorite subject is reading. She is very eager about what this School year will bring and she cannot what to create long lasting memories with her students!

Christine Kearney

English As a New Language Teacher
​Christine Kearney is the ENL (English as a New Language) teacher at P.S. 889.  Christine has worked with the Department of Education for over 28 years.  She started her educational career as a paraprofessional, earned a Bachelor’s degree with the City University of New York, and within two years, she completed a TESOL Masters at Adelphi.  Christine’s first ENL teaching assignment was at I.S. 278, a middle school in Marine Park.  She continued on to the neighboring grade school, P.S. 222, where she remained in the TESOL position for 17 years, until her retirement in June 2017.  With the opportunity to work at P.S. 889 in its founding year, Christine returned to teaching English Language Learners.  She truly enjoys working with the children and their parents.  She respects and honors the diverse culture and experiences that each child and family bring to the classroom and the school.  A motto in her classroom has always been, “If you know something in two languages, then you are double smart.”  The teaching profession has brought her much joy and she is happy to begin another year at P.S.889.

Honora Meyers
Teacher

Nora is excited to be a 2nd grade teacher at PS 889. This is her 13th year in the Department of Education. She has a Bachelor of Science in Childhood Education from SUNY Oneonta and a Master of Science in Childhood Mathematics from Brooklyn College.  Nora loves to read and hopes to instill her passion for reading in her students. In her spare time, she loves reading, baking, tap-dancing and going on adventures with her husband and 2 daughters. Nora is looking forward to an exciting year in 2nd grade! 

Phyllis Jackson
Teacher

Phyllis Jackson has been in education for over  twenty years. She started out in District 5 teaching 5th grade and Kindergarten. She wanted to get back to Brooklyn to work in the district where she went to school. She worked in District 22 as a teacher and taught grade K-3. Her current role as a Universal Literacy Coach serving 2 schools in District 19 and 22 has allowed her to support administration, teachers and the school community with best instructional practices, professional learning, parent workshops and much more. She is looking forward to working with the P.S. 889 school community.

Lynda Browning

​Secretary
This is Ms. Browning's 8th year in the Department Of Education, having been a Junior High paraprofessional for the first seven. Ms. Browning has lived in Marine Park, Brooklyn for over 20 years with her family. She is very excited to be at PS 889. She looks forward to watching young minds and hearts grow with each passing year!

Anna Felicia

School Aide
This is Anna's 5th year working in the DOE as a school Aide. Anna went to the College of Staten Island where she received a Bachelors Degree in Business Management. She worked in retail for many years as a manger and buyer.  She spends her spare time cooking and raising her three children. 

Gabrielle Ali

Teacher
Gabrielle Ali is thrilled to be starting her 5th year at P.S. 889.  Her educational career began in District 22 and she is so excited to be continuing her career in a District that has shaped the student, learner and person she is today.  Gabrielle went to Manhattanville College for her undergraduate career, where she earned a degree in Early and Childhood Education Grades B-6. She continued on to Brooklyn College for her Masters where she earned a degree in Special Education grades 1-6. Gabrielle comes from a large Italian family, she says she basically eats everything, but she loves pizza. Her friends and family are very important to her, so spending time with them is a must! she loves to watch football and hockey. Gabrielle is a NY Giants and NY Rangers fan. She loves to travel and she is a life-long Disney fanatic. Gabrielle is so excited for this year!

Maya Sheffield

 Teacher
Maya is thrilled to be teaching Pre-kindergarten at P.S. 889. This is Maya's second year teaching Pre-kindergarten. Maya grew up in the Bronx with with her mom, brother and older sister. In her spare time Maya enjoys spending time with her family.  Maya is a graduate from Brooklyn College with a Bachelors in Early Childhood Education. She is current pursuing her Masters Degree in Early Childhood Studies with an extension of Special Education. Maya is looking forward to an amazing, fun-filled year at P.S. 889!

Wally Chudery

Pre-K Paraprofessional
Wally Chudery has been working in The Department of Education for 6 years as a Paraprofessional. She graduated with an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education. Wally started as a dance teacher and has worked with children of all age groups ever since. She has a lot of experience working in Special Ed classrooms and really enjoys it, and is also bilingual. Being able to work with so many different children and just making an impact on them is the best feeling. All those years of working with children really molded her into the educator she is today. Nothing makes her happier then quality time with her family. On her free time she loves to bake, dance and listening to music. Wally can't wait to see what this year brings at PS 889.

Michelle Luback

 Teacher
Michelle Luback, who is a founding teacher of P.S.889 has lived in Brooklyn her entire life with her parents and older sister, she was also a student herself in District 22. In her spare time she enjoys bicycling, taking trips and most importantly spending time with her family and friends. She loves smiling and making people laugh because she believes that laughter is the best medicine. Michelle is a graduate of Saint Joseph’s College where she earned her B.A. in Early and Childhood Education. She also received her M.A. in Early Childhood Special Education from Brooklyn College. Michelle is dually certified in both General Education and Special Education and she is currently furthering her educational career, where she is receiving her M.A. in Educational Leadership from Touro College. This will be Michelle’s fifth year teaching. She began her teaching career as a Universal Pre-K teacher prior to joining the P.S.889 family. This will be Michelle’s third year working within P.S. 889. She began her first year in P.S.889 teaching Kindergarten, and was given a great opportunity her second year to transition with the founding students to 1stgrade. She loves being a part of P.S.889’s strong and mighty faculty, but most importantly being a part of her students’ educational career where she is able to support and watch her students grow academically, developmentally and personally!

Christine Seagriff

Teacher
Christine graduated from Brooklyn College with a Bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education/Special Education. Due her  wonderful experience at Brooklyn College she returned for her Masters degree in Childhood Education. In Christine's free time she loves traveling, exploring other cultures, and trying different kinds of foods. Her mother is from Brazil and has taught her how to speak, read, and write in Portuguese. Christine's visits to Brazil have helped her to see how lucky she is to be in a place of many opportunities. Becoming a teacher has lead Christine to the greatest opportunity of them all, educating the young minds of tomorrow's future. 

James Machalani

Teacher
James graduated from Brooklyn College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and is currently in the process of getting a Master’s Degree in Childhood Special Education. James previously worked at Bright Horizons Child Care Center and was a substitute teacher in the Department Of Education. James comes from a family of educators and has always wanted to become a teacher since he was a little boy. When James is not teaching he is spending time with his family and friends. Some of James’ favorite hobbies are traveling, sports, and reading. He has lived in Brooklyn all of his life and looks forward to giving back to the community. James lives by the quote, “The best way to learn is to teach.”

Rachel Burgos
Teacher

Rachel Burgos is excited to begin her second year of teaching at P.S.889! She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education at The College of Staten Island and she also completed a dual-degree, in Early Childhood and Special Education, at Touro College. As Rachel reflects on her teaching days, she has come to believe that becoming a teacher is not a career, but a calling. She enjoys taking on new challenges because she believes it shows her inner strength and capabilities. During Rachel's spare time, she enjoys cooking, baking, taking pictures, and watching documentaries. Rachel is thrilled about the new adventures this year will bring!  

 Margaret Wince 
Teacher

Margaret is excited about joining the P.S.889 community this year. Margaret will be joining our third grade team. She has worked as a third grader teacher these past three years in the district. Margaret has lived in Brooklyn her whole life and was a District 22 student herself. Margaret attended Brooklyn College where she received her Bachelors degree in Childhood Education as well as Touro College where she received her Masters Degree in Early Childhood Special Education. In her free time, Margaret loves to read, travel and spend time with her four rescue dogs.

Ahoefa Shalom Gnagniko
Paraprofessional

Ahoefa Shalom Gnagniko was born and raised in Togo, West Africa and has been living in Brooklyn for 18 years. She graduated from Kingsborough Community College with an Associate degree in Mental Health and Human Services. This is her 8th year in the education field and she loves working with the "little people". She believes that the best impact starts with them as they will one day grow up to shape the world. She loves anything related to Arts and Crafts and finds ways to incorporate those while teaching. She is looking forward to a new school year and to see what exciting things are to come.

Shakira Canty
Teacher

Shakira is so excited to join the PS 889 community! This will be her 7th year teaching. She graduated from SUNY College at Old Westbury with a Bachelors Degree in Special Ed/Early Childhood Education with a concentration in Math. She then attended Touro College where she earned her Masters Degree in Instructional Technology. In her spare time she loves to spend time with her family and work on DIY projects. She is so thrilled to be part of our School community and cannot wait to work with you all!

Simone Kung
Visual Arts Teacher

Ms. Simone is proud to be the art teacher at P.S. 889. She was born and raised in New York City and currently lives in Brooklyn. She studied Fine Arts at Bard College, where she specialized in painting, printmaking and drawing. After graduating she moved to Spain, where she lived for eight years. She started her career as a teacher there, first teaching English as a Second Language, and later Elementary and Middle School Art. After moving back home to New York City, she got her M.A. in Elementary and Special Education at Touro College and got certified to be an art teacher. She has loved working as the art teacher at P.S. 889, where she enjoys teaching young artists painting, drawing and sculpture, and helping them to explore their creativity!

Diana  Russo
Music Teacher

Diana Russo is the music teacher for P.S. 889.  Ms. Russo began her career as the Assistant Director/Choreographer for Visitation Academy’s Drama Club, putting on middle school musical theater productions for over 6 years.  During her time at Visitation, Ms. Russo served as the vocal coach, casting director, choreographer, staging director, assistant set designer and sometimes even as sound/lighting designer.  Ms. Russo is a classically trained singer and rhythm guitarist.  She holds a Bachelor of Music in Education from the Conservatory of Music at Brooklyn College.  During her time at Brooklyn College, Ms. Russo performed in various productions and concerts, including two solo voice recitals where she sang classical and musical theater repertoire in four languages.  Ms. Russo is currently pursuing her M.A. in Music Education at Columbia University’s Teachers College.

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